These past few weeks I have started working on a couple of projects for a major environmental organisation.
It was where I started 30 years ago, and I am totally enjoying it.
But holy macaroni, hasn't the technology changed since 1990!
Environmental campaigning is full-on social media these days.
Outside of Steem I really haven't been much of a social media user - just a bit of Twitter here and there.
But working on these projects has made me realise how useful social media can be for this type of research and campaigning work.
And sadly it has made me realise how lacking Steem is as any sort of social media platform.
There are a whole bunch of facilities I am using...
1. Direct Messaging
I am using this both on Twitter and on Facebook. No going off to Discord. Messaging is there - built into the platform.
2. Groups
Being able to set up Groups - private or public - quickly and easily on Facebook is extremely useful to initiate and run compaigns.
3. Events
Setting up events, inviting people, seeing who is coming and who is interested.... A super useful organisation tool on Facebook again.
4. Action Network, 38 Degrees, Change.org
These are not really social networks - but they are extremely useful tools for campaigning.
Could similar apps or dapps be built on Steem?
These are all useful things. They all add utility to the mass social networks.
That is, in great part at least, why these networks and applications have a lot of item 5 on my list...
5. People
This might seem like an obvious one - but it is a critical point. Twitter and Facebook have lots of people - globally, nationally and locally.
Steem doesn't.
And campaigning needs people...
Steem needs to be useful.
I have been on the platform for over two years, and I struggle to find a use for it.
If Steem had more utility people would use it more.
Steem needs more people. Steem needs more utility.
